Hello world! The beginning

Hello World! This is the term used in software development for the first successful call of a self-written program and is very often the first text displayed.

The beginning

As with many, buying a starter kit from Philips Hue, a bridge with a switch and two lamps, is the beginning into a new world. That was also my Hello World. Included are all the necessary components to get started, for example, in the rented apartment without structural changes.

Strictly speaking, the entry into the smart home was made by switchable sockets and that was certainly 20 years earlier. At that time with a radio remote control, so there can be no talk of smart. But to switch on/off several devices and lights with one push of a button already went in the desired direction and one already had a feeling of being able to “control things from everywhere” – at a small distance, of course.

The goal of the central or remote control remains the same and is still extended by automatisms, sceneries, etc.

Living for rent

“Living for rent” is a very important keyword for getting started and planning a smart home. I too would like to pull cables everywhere, drill holes, make wall breakthroughs and link everything together by cable instead of radio, e.g. via a centralized bus system. Unfortunately, this would involve a lot of effort and expense, most of which would have to be dismantled when we moved. That means it has to be a radio system for the most part.

The connection to the Internet and data privacy

One of my premises was and still is that the entire system must work without an Internet connection:

1. I don’t want my data to leak out, e.g., what time I get up in the morning
2. I want to avoid security gaps of my local network
3. The system must work even in case of an internet failure

That was one of the reasons why I chose Philips Hue at the time. A permanent internet connection is not mandatory and the limitations are limited:

1. (Security) updates are not found and installed (bridge and lamps).
2. The teaching of accessories sometimes requires the Internet connection
3. The control outside of the WLAN reception does not work
4. The Hue Labs functions can not be used

It should be noted that, at least in the beginning, you can’t avoid setting the connection to the Internet, even with Philips Hue. This is also necessary for occasional updates. The last three points are negligible for me.

Where to put the bridge?

Let’s start with the bridge (“bridge”). The Bridge is the central hub for the first smart home. The bridge controls the lamps, accepts commands, e.g. from apps and links all elements, including the Internet.

I myself have positioned the bridge next to the router. The protocol behind Philips Hue is ZigBee and allows each lamp to function as a repeater of the signal.

That is, if a lamp is too far away from the bridge, another Zigbee device (lamp, some switches, etc) between them is enough to amplify the signal to the distant lamp. This repeater function can also reach more distant places, such as tubular homes or garden lamps.

Step 1: the Bridge and Mobile App

So we start by hooking the Philips Hue Bridge the directly into the home LAN or WLAN (full and updated instructions at Philips if necessary):

1. Connect the bridge to power and network
2. Download the Philips Hue mobile app (Apple iOS or Android)
3. Follow the steps in the app

Now the basic functionality is available one can configure the lamps.

Step 2: the lamps

It is recommended to pair lamps individually and one after the other. This saves having to change the lamps afterwards, if you have mixed up something.

1. In the vicinity of the bridge, turn the lamp into a socket
2. Then switch on the lamp
3. In the mobile app “Add lamps” (top right the three dots on the first page)
4. Search and wait
5. Give a name to the found lamp
6. Add the lamp to a room or zone

Now the lamp or lamps can be controlled via the Mobile App.

The settings for the switch-on behavior should also be defined. This controls the behavior when the “real” light switch is confirmed or there is a power failure. By default, the light will be on at full strength. Always keep in mind that if necessary guests can use the switches out of habit or as it makes sense for emergencies.

Step 3: the dimmer switch

For switches, a similar path is necessary:

1. Auf den Reiter “Einstellungen” der Mobile App wechseln
2. Switch to the “Settings” tab of the mobile app
3. There click on “Accessories
4. Then click on “Add accessories”
5. Then select the appropriate device, in this case the “Hue Dimmer Switch”
6. For a new device

Now the starter set is fully assembled and can be controlled by switch or mobile app.

Related links

Philips Hue at Amazon (Ad)
https://amzn.to/3l2MRXG

Hue Bridge installation guide
https://www.philips-hue.com/de-de/explore-hue/get-started

Apple iOS App (Ad)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/philips-hue-gen-2/id1055281310?ls=1&mt=8

Android App
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.philips.lighting.hue2